Vendor Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

What is Common Goods?

Our platform is a marketplace dedicated to connecting Canadian small businesses with domestic customers. In light of the impending 25% tariffs on Canadian goods entering the US market, we provide an immediate solution for businesses looking to pivot to the domestic market.

Why should I join this platform?

Urgent Market Shift: With 80% of Canadian small businesses currently dependent on US customers, the upcoming tariffs create an immediate need to develop domestic sales channels.

Cost-Effective Customer Acquisition: Reduce the 30%+ of revenue typically spent on digital advertising by accessing our audience of 1M+ people looking to Buy Canadian.

No Upfront Costs: Free listings.

Revenue from Day One: Leverage our established affiliate programs.

Hyper local and values-based filtering: Connect with high-intent local customers specifically interested in your products.

When is the platform launching?

The platform is scheduled to launch in Q2 2025, in step the tariff implementation. Exact date TBD. We currently have a beta version built and tested with 6,000+ customers on our pre-launch waitlist.

Getting Started

How do I register my business?

Registration is simple:

1. Complete our online merchant application form

2. Once approved, complete our survey to verify your Canadian business information

3. Upload your product catalog or connect via API

What types of businesses can join?

We welcome Canadian-owned small businesses that sell physical products. Currently, we're focusing on apparel, footwear, kids, housewares, gifts, stationary, and craft supplies, with plans to expand to additional categories in Q3 2025.

At this time, businesses with their own online stores up and running (e.g. on Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Etsy) are the best fit for Common Goods.

Is there a fee to join?

No, listings are free.

In the future, vendors who choose to participate in our unified checkout will be subject to a standard commission on all sales that take place on Common Goods. Participation is optional.

Operations and Technical

How do I list my products?

You can list products through:

Direct API integration (recommended)

Bulk upload via CSV file

Manual entry through our merchant dashboard

Do you provide product photography or content creation?

While we don't currently offer photography services, our platform provides optimization tools to help your existing content perform better. We also offer guidelines for creating effective product listings.

Will you be handling the checkout process?

During Phase 1 (March 2025 - May 2025), customers will complete purchases on your existing website. In Phase 2 (Q3 2025), we plan to introduce an integrated checkout option.

Marketing and Customer Acquisition

How will you drive traffic to my listings?

Our platform leverages:

6,000+ pre-registered customers on our waitlist

1M+ active audience in Buy Canadian communities

Targeted digital marketing campaigns focusing on "Buy Canadian" sentiment

Detailed product filtering to connect customers with relevant offerings

Content marketing highlighting the importance of supporting domestic businesses.

How is your platform different from existing marketplaces?

Exclusively Canadian: Focus solely on Canadian businesses and customers

Timing: Strategic launch aligned with the critical market shift due to tariffs

Low Cost: No upfront fees during the transition period

Performance: Our previous marketplace achieved 3x higher CTR and conversion vs. Google Shopping

Low Commission: Marketplaces like Amazon take 15-25% in commission and fees. Common Goods will never exceed 10% and we aim to land around 7% by maintaining distributed fulfillment networks (no warehouses).

Own your customer relationships: Other marketplaces deliberately obfuscate customer data to keep their monopoly status. On Common Goods, you always own the relationship with the customer - their email, marketing preferences, and any interactions with your products. After all, our mission is to connect great buyers and sellers, not come in between them.

Will I receive data about my customers and performance?

Yes, our merchant dashboard provides:

Detailed analytics on traffic, clicks, and conversions

Customer demographic information (anonymized in accordance with GDPR)

Performance benchmarks compared to similar businesses

Optimization recommendations

These analytics are scheduled to launch in July, 2025.

Support and Resources

What kind of merchant support do you provide?

Dedicated onboarding specialist

Technical support for product uploads and integration

Regular webinars on domestic market strategies

Community forum for merchant collaboration

How do I get help if I have questions?

Our merchant support team is available via:

Email: val@commongoods.ca

Live chat in our merchant Facebook group (during business hours)

Are there any educational resources available?

Yes, we will provide:

Guides on optimizing for the Canadian market

Webinars on adapting to the tariff changes

Best practices for product listings and domestic shipping

Case studies from successfully transitioned businesses

These resources will become available in April, 2025.

Future Development

What are your plans beyond the initial launch?

As outlined in our Phase 2 (Q3 2025) plans, we will:

Expand domestic market penetration

Introduce integrated checkout

Develop additional merchant support services

Scale to additional product categories

How can I provide feedback on the platform?

We actively seek merchant feedback through:

Regular surveys

Our merchant advisory board

Direct communication with our support team

Beta testing opportunities for new features

You can reach our founder directly at val@commongoods.ca

Policies

Vendor Terms and Conditions

Terms & Conditions - Common Goods Collective Inc

Last Updated: 02.26.2026

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the Canadian Small Business Discovery Platform ("Platform"), operated by Common Goods("Company," "we," "us," or "our"). By registering as a vendor on our Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. Please read them carefully.

2. Eligibility

To register as a vendor on our Platform, you must:

Be a legally registered business in Canada

Have a physical address in Canada

Have the legal right to sell all listed products

Be at least 18 years of age and able to form legally binding contracts

3. Registration and Account

3.1 Application Process

All vendor applications are subject to review and approval by our team

We reserve the right to reject applications at our sole discretion

You agree to provide accurate and complete information during registration

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials

You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account

We reserve the right to terminate accounts that violate these Terms

4. Listing Requirements

4.1 Product Eligibility

All products must comply with Canadian laws and regulations

Products must be accurately described and represented

We prohibit the listing of illegal, counterfeit, or restricted items

4.2 Content Standards

Product descriptions, images, and other content must be accurate and not misleading

You retain ownership of your content but grant us a license to use it for platform purposes

We reserve the right to remove content that violates these Terms

4.3 Pricing and Inventory

You are responsible for setting your own prices

You must maintain accurate inventory information

We do not guarantee product visibility or sales volume

5. Affiliate Program and Commissions

5.1 Fee Structure

During Phase 1, there are no fees charged to list your products on Common Goods. We do not process any transaction and act as a directory. Your product listings in our catalogue will link back to your own website where customers can place an order.

5.2 Tracking and Reporting

During Phase 2 (estimated June, 2025) we will introduce a unified checkout. Participating in the unified checkout is completely optional. Vendors will be given 30 days notice to decide to opt in or out of unified checkout. Sales will be tracked through standard checkout and order processing.

We will provide reporting on clicks, conversions, and commissions.

Disputes regarding commission must be raised within 30 days of the transaction

5.3 Commission Payment

During phase 2 (June 2025 onwards) for vendors who have opted in to Unified Checkout, commissions will be calculated weekly

Payments will be processed according to our standard terms (anticipated 7% commission).

We reserve the right to withhold payments for fraudulent or disputed transactions

6. Platform Operations

6.1 Phase 1 Operations

Customers will complete purchases on your existing website

You are responsible for all aspects of the transaction including payment processing, fulfillment, customer service, and returns

The Platform serves as a discovery and referral service only during Phase 1

6.2 Future Development

We plan to introduce integrated checkout and additional services in Phase 2 (Q3 2025)

Additional terms will be provided before implementation of these features

You will have the option to opt in or out of these additional services and 30 days notice to do so.

7. Vendor Responsibilities

7.1 Customer Service

You are responsible for providing customer service for all transactions

You must respond to customer inquiries within 2 business days

You must honor your stated return and refund policies

7.2 Fulfillment and Shipping

You are responsible for accurate order fulfillment

You must ship products within your stated timeframes

You must provide tracking information when available

7.3 Compliance

You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations

You are responsible for collecting and remitting appropriate taxes

You must maintain all necessary licenses and permits for your business

8. Platform Rights and Responsibilities

8.1 Service Availability

We strive to maintain Platform availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access

We reserve the right to modify or discontinue features with reasonable notice

We are not liable for any loss resulting from Platform downtime or modifications

8.2 Vendor Support

We will provide reasonable technical support for Platform integration

We will offer resources to help optimize your listings

Support availability is subject to our current staffing and resources

8.3 Data and Analytics

We will provide analytics on your listing performance

We collect and use data in accordance with our Privacy Policy

We may use aggregated, anonymized data for Platform improvement

9. Term and Termination

9.1 Term

These Terms commence upon your registration approval

They continue until terminated by either party

9.2 Termination by Vendor

You may terminate your participation with 30 days written notice

Termination does not relieve you of obligations for transactions before termination

We will continue to pay commissions earned prior to termination

9.3 Termination by Platform

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account for violations of these Terms

We may remove listings that violate our policies

We may terminate accounts for prolonged inactivity

10. Intellectual Property

10.1 Platform IP

All Platform content and features are owned by or licensed to us

You receive a limited license to use the Platform for its intended purpose

You may not copy, modify, or create derivative works based on our Platform

10.2 Vendor IP

You retain ownership of your trademarks, product images, descriptions, and other content

You grant us a non-exclusive license to use your content for Platform purposes

You warrant that your content does not infringe on third-party rights

11. Liability Limitations

11.1 Disclaimer of Warranties

The Platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind

We do not guarantee any specific results from Platform participation

We do not warrant that the Platform will meet all of your business requirements

11.2 Limitation of Liability

Our liability is limited to direct damages not exceeding the total commissions paid to us in the 3 months preceding the claim

We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages

These limitations apply to all claims regardless of legal theory

11.3 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims arising from your products, content, or violations of these Terms

This includes reasonable legal fees and expenses

We will provide notice of such claims and allow you to participate in the defense

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of [Your Canadian Province]

Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of [Your Canadian City/Province]

You consent to the jurisdiction of such courts

12.2 Alternative Dispute Resolution

Both parties agree to attempt good faith resolution of disputes

Disputes may first be submitted to non-binding mediation

Mediation costs will be shared equally by both parties

13. General Provisions

13.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and us

They supersede any prior agreements or understandings

Additional terms may apply to specific features or services

13.2 Amendments

We reserve the right to modify these Terms with 30 days notice

Notice will be provided via email and/or Platform announcement

Your continued use after such notice constitutes acceptance

13.3 Severability

If any provision is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect

Unenforceable provisions will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to be enforceable

13.4 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not constitute a waiver

All waivers must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative

13.5 Assignment

You may not assign your rights under these Terms without our written consent

We may assign our rights to an affiliate or successor organization

14. Contact Information

For questions regarding these Terms, please contact us at:

Email: val@commongoods.ca

Address: 145 1/2 Church Street, Unit 5, Office 28, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

By registering for the Canadian Small Business Discovery Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.